Neil Watson

Time has flown by in the small ( not so now) Scottish village of Aviemore. The layout has had a move which I hope will last for a while as it has now moved to a part of the house which can accommodate it fully so you will see more happenings for a bit. Plans are afoot too finish the loco shed and Aviemore north signal box it going to be redesigned to the correct box rather than my mock up which has done well. I have had a small play around with the camera whilst tidying a few bits up which seem to be never ending. Hope you enjoy these few shots. Maybe you can see the rare visitor in a shot.

Glad to see you have managed to get the shed done. I bet this has come up very large compared to mine. I used a small roller on mine and then picked out the individual stone work. Looking back on mine I could have afforded to go a bit darker. to be honest you would have found it easier painting before putting together. I shall look forward to seeing this come along.

well done Defford You have captured kyle very well and i shall keep following with interest. Your shed has come out very well and has reminded me i must finish mine.

I have just come across this thread and i will most certainly be looking at the site. i would love to get a two water towers made for Aviemore and like the idea of doing something else in the future looking at some of the kits. Thanks for sharing. Neil

Well the last few days I have spent my time improving the station. I only just noticed that I had the north end platform roof lined up incorrectly so I have took the knife to it and adjusted it to the correct position. I also had to reduce the length of the island canopy as that was too long. Lastly I came across the station frontage in the highland main line book with a brown frontage. I have had a go at replicating this and I can’t decide which I prefer for exhibitions. Chimneys and drainpipes still need finishing and a poster. Can anyone help with what colour the island would have been when the front was brown.

Hello Ian Many thanks for this, i have used the Br Database a few times for information but have never seen this which gives more in depth information. I have most locos for Aviemore and knew about a 5Mt but to have this much info gives me more renumbering to do. Aviemore is booked for kings Lynn this year and is out in Brm next month. Regards Neil

This little fella had a rare excursion this weekend working on carl’s lovely layout Vale of Oxbury. I think it looked right at home (carl ain’t agree). It was a great show at lemington and just helps with looking at a few scenery improvements on Aviemore as well as purchasing more stock.

Had chance to look where I can add some characters around the station area but find it always difficult to know where to stop without making it look over crowded. I have also decided to get a class 73 resprayed into Caledonian sleeper livery for my own pleasure at home. I will share my own photo I took whilst in Dalwhinnie.

Today I had time to read through a book on highland railway sheds which was a pleasant read which also highlighted many parts I could add to the layout espiacially the amount of green pastures looking towards the shed and station. I even came across an extract which proved which locos I can get away with running including a Hughes crab which I happen to have and I can also make use of the future graham farish 8f. I thought I would also share with you a set of original drawings a purchased a few years ago on a auction site. This shows the new route via carrbridge. I don’t know about others but I have found just as much enjoyment with doing the research.

Spent the morning doing a list of jobs. One job I can do whilst at work is weathering the dog fish wagons but it would be good to see what others have done. The spotters have started to appear.

Just had to go and spend five minutes with a play outside in the wagon. Turned out to have a dmu day and a random class 20 on a special.

Just had to go and spend five minutes with a play outside in the wagon. Turned out to have a dmu day and a random class 20 on a special.

I am too keeping an eye out on the website.

Hello Bob I would be more than happy with you doing that. your layout gave me many bits of inspiration and the 'staithes' were a lovely part of this. I just hope I can get somewhere near this. kind regards

I watched your layout operation today and was really impressed with the detail. Well done you have given myself lots of inspiration for my own future o gauge layout. Hopefully see it again soon.

I know what you mean but i have 50+ locos and many rakes too with just a average size fiddle yard. I have had to let some go as i really wanted to purchase a 7mm highland Ben loco and i am very happy with it. I am glad that i am stocked up well now and i don't see to much being released that i would want now so i can concentrate on weathering my current stock. I t would be nice if Bachmann would shrink the upcoming 828 loco.

Hello Tony I cant wait, you will make my photos look terrible lol. it will be good to have something professional done.

Hello Tony I cant wait, you will make my photos look terrible lol. it will be good to have something professional done.

I can’t believe what little modelling time I have had due to work commitments. I have just put my stock out and can safely say I have too much lol. I have got to look at the overhead lighting as I seem to have a little connection problem and I want to look at fitting a smoke generator to the engine shed (what’s people’s thoughts on this?) here are a couple of pictures that I had a quick play with.

I love the work you have done with the bridge, I am going to have a second attempt with aviemore's foor bridge. can I ask where did you manage to get the pillars from and did you make the jig yourself?

Been putting some of my highland o gauge stock away for its next debenture and cam across some highland stock that I would like to have done in N. I will have to spend a while online to see who can do what for me

Had a last minute invite for a 1940’s day the layout was well received.

Hope so one day, couple of invites have come in already just waiting on conformation.

you are right the speed is too fast I had two new operators for its first outing and it took a little while to get used to the adjustments with the layout. All operators have to start somewhere. The lady I imagine is the work of the person who made the video lol. Thanks for your kind words